Then let them offer their loyalty!

After saying that, Huang Shangzong seemed to have thought of something again, and then paused for a moment.

Then he sat up abruptly and asked, "Wait a minute."

"You just said that Qiu Tu and Tang Feifei reported the matter of letting La Riluo go to Elder Tang and Speaker Rao a long time ago?"

"And Speaker Rao and Elder Tang also approved it?"

The refined-looking man hummed in agreement.

Huang Shangzong's face turned ashen, his teeth itching with hatred. "So... the release of Lariluo was all a trap? Deliberately waiting for my people to fall into it?!"

The refined-looking man sighed softly, then said, "Yes."

He said, "The trick Qiu Tu used was actually reported to the shelter that very day."

"Old Tang and Old Pang both know about it."

"However, Qiu Tu and Tang Feifei have now made such great contributions that they are practically immune to corruption. The chairpersons have been very lenient towards them."

"And besides, you were the one who sent Ellie to investigate him..."

"He used something that was already established to set a trap to retaliate. The speakers couldn't find any fault with it."

"After all, it didn't affect the overall situation."

"So... you'll have to fill this hole yourselves."

At this point, the refined-looking man coughed and said, "Ellie's parents made a great contribution to our shelter, especially to our 'Academic School'."

"Moreover, she did indeed fall into Qiu Tu's trap; she didn't really let the evil god go."

"So... Elder Pang means that we must protect her at all costs."

"Crack!" Huang Shangzong's face turned as red as a pig's liver, and with a forceful squeeze, he snapped the chair armrest in half!

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Two chapters, 10,000 words each! Please vote with monthly tickets!

Chapter 404 I Want to Be a Member of Parliament (10,000 words, please vote!)

Hearing the unusual noise on the other end of the phone, the refined-looking man quickly reassured him, "Old Huang, don't get agitated..."

He said, "Old Pang was just expressing our determination to protect Ellie. It doesn't mean... we really have to sacrifice your interests or face."

He said, "Qiu Tu... is a man of bad intentions and greed."

"However... there is one advantage. That is, knowing when to advance and when to retreat."

"He was in the wrong in this matter. He could have simply let Larilu go, but he chose to set a trap for you to fall into."

"Although the speakers were too lazy to hold it against him because of his contributions, he also knew he couldn't go too far."

"So, most likely he just wants to rip you off and then quit while he's ahead..."

The refined man had clearly studied the situation in Dongye Prefecture beforehand, and he also understood the conflict between Qiu Tu and Huang Shangzong, as well as what Qiu Tu wanted now.

He said, "Qiu Tu has gone through all this trouble for only two purposes."

"First, to counter your investigation. Second... for the position of director."

“You spread the word in the New Territories that unless you make a great contribution, you won’t be promoted to Qiu Tu.”

"This time... he has made a great contribution. So promoting him wouldn't be a slap in the face for us."

"As for the rest... given his background and family history, he's probably unsophisticated and would likely ask for some money."

"These... are all material possessions. If he wants them, give them to him."

"You probably don't need these. If you're short on money, you can let me know, and I'll get you some from the academy's private treasury."

Upon hearing the refined man's words, Huang Shangzong's expression softened slightly on the other end of the phone.

Although he couldn't possibly let the refined man actually make up for it, his attitude at least proved that the faction still valued him.

So, after taking a deep breath, he said, "I understand."

"Don't worry, Qiu Tu has indeed done a great job this time. I won't clash with him at such a crucial moment."

"If he wants it, then give it to him!"

In the end, Huang Shangzong's domineering aura returned. His tiger-like eyes narrowed slightly, and he exuded an aura as imposing as a mountain, saying, "He wants to be the director, doesn't he? Then give it to him!"

"I want to see if a scheming scoundrel like him can actually manage a city's investigation department!"

Upon hearing Huang Shangzong's words, the refined man smiled and said, "That's right. Since he wants it, then give it to him."

"When a person's abilities do not match their status, problems will naturally arise."

"By then, you won't even need to lift a finger; he might get himself into huge trouble and fall from grace..."

Hearing the refined man's words, Huang Shangzong leaned back in his large chair and gave a deep "hmm"...

However, perhaps Qiu Tu's strategic planning had left too deep an impression on him during this period.

For some reason, he always felt that this was a pipe dream.

But things have come to this point, so he has no other choice.

So… he repeated softly, his gaze complex, “I hope he really can pull it off…”

........

Soon, the day was over.

At night, the blue moon hung high in the sky above the New Territories, casting a soft glow that added another layer of meaning to the city as it entered the harsh winter.

Tang Feifei's villa in the New Territories.

Qiu Tu was engaged in a fierce battle with Tang Feifei.

Since becoming the lord of the region and taking another step forward in strength, Tang Feifei has transformed into a diligent little bee, wanting to collect pollen every day.

Qiu Tu has been quite busy lately, so he actually wanted to refuse.

However... he was truly moved by some of the things Tang Feifei did during this time.

Men are strange creatures: of their hearts and their penises, only one can soften.

Therefore... he could only passively respond.

After a few days, he had only one thought: it was just a little bit of hardship.

And this time, it's the same; the hardships will be left for Tang Feifei to face later.

Qiu Tu put his arm around Tang Feifei and then recalled his plans over the past few days.

Actually... a few days ago, when Tang Feifei reminded Qiu Tu that "Yellow Phantom" was very important intelligence, Qiu Tu was already thinking about how to use this intelligence to gain benefits. (Chapter 397)

Then, while recounting how she set a trap for Ellie and then let Larilu go, Tang Feifei reminded Qiu Tu: the plan to let Larilu go had too many variables and was too dangerous. Colluding with an evil god was a serious crime, and one wrong move could lead to total defeat. (Chapter 398)

At that moment, Qiu Tu's heart skipped a beat.

He suddenly had a flash of inspiration: Although neither thing was perfect, but... if we combined the two things, wouldn't the whole game be immediately brought to life?

Letting Rahiro go is too dangerous; it would be seen as colluding with an evil god. Moreover, if Ellie doesn't cooperate, it could backfire.

Then... let's get the shelter's higher-ups' approval first, then release Lariro. Wouldn't that eliminate the danger?

Whether Ellie falls for it or not is irrelevant. In any case, Qiu Tu has already achieved his goal of letting La Riluo go.

Moreover... combining these two plans would also allow Qiu Tu to directly benefit from "Yellow Phantom".

Qiu Tu has always believed in the principle that all unrealized benefits are just empty promises.

The identity of the "mysterious person" may indeed bring Qiu Tu huge benefits in the future.

But... Qiu Tu needs a "future" first!

In this perilous world, he faces suppression from enemies like Huang Shangzong in front of him, and the watchful eyes of evil gods behind him.

He must advance in his position, gain power, and improve his skills as quickly as possible in order to deal with the increasing dangers.

They used the identity of a "mysterious person" to conduct the transaction and release Lariro.

This could serve as an excuse to obtain new information later: the mysterious person had extracted new information from Lariro.

This would also allow Qiu Tu to share in the credit for the truth behind "Yellow Phantom" and help him advance further.

It's killing multiple birds with one stone.

So Qiu Tu and Tang Feifei carefully planned it out and contacted Old Tang.

In order to deceive the cunning Old Tang, Qiu Tu even staged a play: pretending to be a mysterious person, only to be exposed by Old Tang later.

Humans are very strange creatures.

If Qiu Tu hadn't made this arrangement, given Old Tang's shrewdness, he would most likely have guessed that Qiu Tu was this mysterious person.

Then various tests were conducted.

However... Qiu Tu first admitted to being the mysterious person, then revealed a flaw, allowing Old Tang to expose him.

Because Mr. Tang achieved this result through "effort," he subconsciously believes the result is true and will no longer doubt Qiu Tu.

Thus, Qiu Tu successfully transitioned from the spotlight to the background, becoming someone who was in the dark.

The shelter's higher-ups will most likely be secretly searching for this mysterious person.

They might guess it's Secretary Bai, some big shot passing by, or even Yan Chen. But they definitely wouldn't guess Qiu Tu...

This would give Qiu Tu a golden period of stable development.

As for the future, when the time is right and Qiu Tu can use this prestige to advance further, he will naturally reveal his identity...

In order to ensure the successful execution of the entire plan, he used Yan Yan and intelligence from various sources to thoroughly understand Huang Shangzong and Ellie's personalities, and lured them step by step into the trap.

The entire plan was meticulously crafted, step by step, to gradually break down their defenses.

And all of this... was for his ultimate goal: the position of Director of the New Territories City Investigation Department. And... even more importantly, the position of State Assemblyman for Tung Yip Chau!

Although the state legislators of Dong Ye state are heads of the three major agencies in 16 cities, there is no explicit provision stating that these 48 positions automatically qualify them as legislators. This is especially true for a newly appointed director.

Looking at the experiences of other states: although in order to consolidate power, the heads of the three major agencies in each city are first made into legislators, after the situation in the state stabilizes, adjustments are gradually made: the number of legislators in each city is reduced to 1-2.

The extra members of parliament, some like Yan Chen, were transferred or demoted for making mistakes; some were transferred to the state to establish important departments as members of parliament; some were transferred to newly developed areas to develop new states; and some were transferred to shelters to take on more important positions.

Therefore, being a member of parliament is very important, and it will be extremely difficult to obtain one after missing this round...

Moreover, only by becoming a councilor can Qiu Tu truly obtain a ticket to the core of state power!

Only then can they openly and legitimately participate in state decision-making and extend their rights into the state.

This is also why... even though he could have won directly, he insisted on setting a trap to scheme against Huang Shangzong...

If he doesn't involve Huang Shangzong in his schemes and force him to concede, he might become the acting director, but it will be difficult for him to enter the council...

After reviewing his recent plans, Qiu Tu held the sleeping Tang Feifei in his arms, his gaze seemingly piercing through layers of walls and space, looking towards Yan Chen's garden villa...

This request cannot be made by him to Huang Shangzong.

So... his other backup plan should have been activated as well.

.......

Meanwhile, as Qiu Tu was thinking this...

Yan Chen's Garden Villa.

Yan Yan silently walked into Ellie's study.

At this time, Ellie had been suspended from her job for releasing the evil god, and all her work had been handed over to someone else.

They are just waiting for the investigation results, after which they will either be imprisoned or exiled.

So she looked utterly dejected, resting her chin on her hand, her two ponytails drooping down, appearing listless and lifeless. She was a far cry from her previous carefree self.

While she was lost in thought...

"Da....Da....Da...."

The soft footsteps sounded exceptionally clear in the quiet villa.

She looked up at the door and saw Yan Yan bringing over two glasses of milk.

Walking over to Ellie, Yan Yan pulled up a chair and sat down, then handed Ellie a glass of milk. "Ellie, there's something I want to talk to you about."